Self Defense Discussion

Martial Arts Weapon for the Elderly

There are some martial arts weapons that are built so that even seniors can use them easily. However, seniors must still betrained in whatever is necessary to use these tools well.Elderlies should be trained to protect themselves, with weapons or none. Nevertheless, there are available weapons that they can still make use of.

Self Defense Education Required
Self defense is an issue that is alive and well in today’s panic stricken world, and we all need to know how to defend ourselves and keep ourselves safe and secure. We also need to do this no matter where we are in the world, and no matter how old we are. However, as we grow older, we also lose our dexterity and reflexes, and we may easily be victimsof violent crimes. Older people, however, should not be left out of self defense: they should still be trained toprotect themselves and to arm themselves well. Thankfully, there are programs out there that train seniors tokeep themselves secure and safe through self defense.

What Types of Martial Arts Weapons is Useful for Gramps and Granny

Butterfly Knives, Really
There are also martial arts weapons out there that even seniors could use to help them in defending themselves. Forinstance, there are knives that are lightweight and are easy to handle, so that someone with bad reflexes or pooreyesight can still use it. If you are interested in such knives, ask your security retailer about knives that areeasier to handle over and above butterfly knives (which can be difficult to unfold and then fold again if you arenot an expert) as well as simple daggers (which can wound seniors who might pull things out in panic). Some knives can be used with the push of a button, and are as easily disarmed.

Sticks and Staffs
Another type of weapons are some staffs and short sticks. One is the bamboo “arnis”, or even a shillelaghcan be useful for seniors for a good, mind-wracking thwack to the head of an opponent. However, if they are too heavy,then one should look for other stick weapons that are not as heavy but that can still deliver blows, such as asimbat (from Southeast Asian martial arts). If these are too heavy or bulky, whips, which candeliver quite frightening blows even with little effort as well. Law enforcement officers in Japan also used a light stickcalled a jutte (today used in juttejutsu), which can deliver deadly blows.

There are actually quite a number of martial arts weapons out there that seniors can be trained to use. Even intimidating-sounding brass knuckles are considered part of martial arts literature and collections, so seniors can still be allowed to and trained to usethem. For more information, look for a weapons retailer, who might also know trainers who can help seniorsdefend themselves. In this day and age, we all need to be safe and protected.

Ira Lipman’s How to Protect Yourself from Crime

Ira Lipman’s book, How to Protect Yourself From Crime, is available now in its 4th edition. You can learn how to avoid different crimes and how to react when you are the victim of one.

If you need more information on how to keep yourself safe from crime, then you will need to borrow, buy, or, if you can, download Ira A. Lipman’s How to Protect Yourself From Crime. Many security experts call it the most complete guide that you can ever get yourself to protect yourself from crime. It is little wonder that this is true: the author of the book is the president of a company that specializes in security services, and is one of the world’s largest.

This guide will allow you to take measures to keep yourself safe; moreover, it gives tips on how you can be safe at home, while you are driving or when you are on the road, while you are working or if you are at work, and while you are away on vacation. Divided into various chapters that concentrate on different locations in your life, the book will give you a glimpse into how vulnerable you actually are to crime, and how you should protect yourself so that you do not fall into the traps that criminals lay.

One such chapter includes instructions on how you can keep your home and belongings secure. Another chapter tackles how you should keep your security even when you are away from home. Because family supersedes these two scenarios, Lipman also counsels on how you can keep high security for your family; and, at a larger scale, how you can be secure in your own community. Because of the rise in violent crimes over the years, Lipman also deals with how you can protect yourself and your family and friends from violent crimes. Another chapter deals with corporate security, which is a big issue with the current economy.

The book has already been revised several times and is currently in its fourth edition. At over four hundred pages long, the book covers sub-topics in the chapters mentioned above, allowing you to understand what kinds of crime you can be the victim of, and how you can prepare yourself so that you can react to them well. Moreover, you are also given tips on how you can avoid being involved in or becoming the victim of a crime.

You can look for the book in your local bookstore or you can also get it through your security products retailer. Keep an updated copy of this book on your bookshelf, and read the book when a new update comes out. This way, you are updated on the different modus operandi that criminals can use to catch you in their trap. You can also constantly remind yourself of what you should do to avoid crime and how to react when it does happen to you.

What You Need to Know About Self-Defense Knives

Self-defense knives are not created equal.  Learn how to find one that fits your needs and keep you safe.

There are several factors you need to keep in mind when buying and using self-defense knives. Here are some of the most important things for you to consider:

Choose the right design and make
Self-defense knives come in a wide variety of designs. When buying or choosing one, first consider its use. Look at the shape, length and width of the blade, the design of the handle and its weight. Basically, you’ll find two major types of self-defense knives: one is the fixed blade type and the other is the folded type.

The fixed blade has a permanently set blade onto the handle while a folded type has a blade that folds into a sheath hidden in the handle itself. Either one has its own pros and cons and can be quite effective, depending on your skills and preferences.

The type of steel used will also matter, although there’s no need to purchase the most expensive alloy you can find. A solid, sharp and corrosion-resistant steel should suffice. Look for a sturdy handle that’s comfortable to grip along with a no-slip handle and a solid connection to the blade.

Self-defense knives do not make you safe
But the knowledge and skills you have to defend yourself will. Many people purchase self-defense knives thinking it will automatically keep them from danger. Do not make this assumption. Just because you’re carrying a self-defense weapon does not mean you’re safe. Self-defense knives do not work by magic; you still have to know how to use them properly, particularly during an attack.

For your own safety, it’s best that you practice using self-defense knives. Do not wait for the moment when you actually need to use them to learn what your self-defense knife can do. You will be putting yourself in danger if you do. Instead, get to know your knife — how it’s designed, how to open it (important if it’s a folding knife or if it comes with a sheath), which side of the blade is sharp, how heavy it is and how much force you need for an effective strike.

Self-defense knives require self-discipline
Self-defense knives are designed to ensure your safety but they are still weapons. They can cut, stab, slice and sever. If you are inexperienced and unsure, you could even end up hurting yourself

There are also laws that cover the use and ownership of self-defense knives. Make sure you are aware of your state’s regulations. There are certain types of knives that are restricted, such as the balisong and the karambit. If you own or are planning to buy any of these, make sure you understand what the laws in your region allow you to do.

Taser Too Much? The Real Danger of Taser Overuse

A report based on a year-long trial involving Tasers by the Queensland Police released in July 2009 has revealed that while Tasers are quite effective as an option where force is required, it can also increase the risk of users becoming too reliant on the weapon.
Although effective and safe, according to the report, Tasers can also lead to ‘Taser creep’, the kind of risk wherein users develop the tendency to use the weapon even ‘beyond’ its intended use.  According to Bob Atkinson, Police Commissioner, there is concern regarding police officers who tend to rely too much on the Taser instead of using other alternatives that do not require the use of weapons.  Already, the Ethical Standards Command has established a review panel to keep track of Taser use across regions.

However, there are a few criticism regarding this move.  Jim Coburn, a lawyer specializing in criminal defense, has commented that even with more intense monitoring of Taser use, there is still a risk that misuse will continue.

Coburn also said that there is a need to investigate safety risks regarding Taser use.  Without it, according to him, the police will continue to ignore the dangers of the stun gun and the fact that it could maim or even injure people fatally.  This ignorance could even lead to more frequent use of the Taser and continued obliviousness to its effects.

According to the report, law enforcement officers had used weapons equipped with electric shock functions several times on a single person.  Some accounts even reveal that the Taser was used as many as 10 times on an offender.  According to Atkinson, these multiple uses occurred only with people who were uncontrollable, suicidal or even under the influence of drugs.

The need for control and common sense
To anyone who has a basic understanding of self-defense, anything and everything can be a weapon.  Just exactly how much power is there in a Taser?  Advertised figures say a stun gun can carry as much as 50,000 volts.  When used on a person, however, the average shock averages at just 1,500 volts due to factors such as air and the person’s clothing.

Unfortunately, the low figure does not excuse misuse.  Tasers can be powerful weapons of self-defense and law enforcement.  What’s really needed is proper training, a focus on better procedures for the apprehension and arrest of suspects and the use of more control and common sense.

Bear Spray Vs. Dogs: How Effective Is It?

If only a can of bear spray stands before you and a live, 7-foot tall bear, then you know that there’s a good chance you can come out of the woods alive.  Bear sprays can be effective deterrents against bear attacks and are in fact recommended by many survival experts.  They are also non-lethal self-defense tools so they can be used safely against bears without fear of permanently harming them.  But is bear spray also effective against other animals that might attack, such as dogs?  Or does it contain a stronger formulation that might prove lethal against smaller animals including those that belong to the canine family?  We find out.

What’s in your bear spray?
Bear spray contains a chemical known as OC, which stands for Oleoresin Capsicum.  This is a compound that has irritants and inflammatory ingredients that affect the mucous membranes, such as those found in the eyes, throat and nose.  This causes tears, coughing, gagging, a runny nose and extreme discomfort.  If the substance reaches the eye area, it can even cause temporary blindness.

It is this substance that makes pepper spray a favorite not just for self-defense but also for controlling unruly crowds and preventing an animal attack.  In fact, people who own a can of regular pepper spray may even use it against an attacking animal (be it a bear, a dog or some other wild creature) to protect themselves.

Is it safe to use?
Bear sprays contain the same kind of substance found in pepper sprays.  OC is the irritant found in peppers, which belongs to a family of plants known as capsicum.  By grinding the pepper, capsaicin is obtained, which is then mixed with a natural solvent.  Once the solvent has evaported, a thick, waxy resin is left behind.  This is the oleoresin capsicum, which is then mixed with an emulsifier so it can be turned into a liquid spray.

While highly irritating due to its content, bear sprays are considered non-lethal.  They can stop an attacking bear and distract him by causing irritation and inflammation.  However, the effects are only temporary and will wear out completely in about 5 to 15 minutes.

Although slightly stronger in formulation, bear sprays are also effective on dogs.  They should not, however, be considered an alternative if you only intend to use pepper spray as a deterrent against aggressive dogs.  Bear sprays come with a slightly different formulation than that which is specifically used against dogs.  To ensure that you are safely and effectively protected, make sure to purchase the appropriate formula.

Tips on how to use an army knife

An army knife can be a great thing for you to use, whether you are planning out a trip to the wilderness or are simply going to chop up a few things in your hotel room for a quick snack in between meetings. An army knife is also useful as a means of surviving most anywhere, so if you are stuck at work or school and need to stay away from the snow or rain, then you can find a way to stay alive.

There are many different kinds of army knives. The most well known, the Swiss army knife, is probably also the most versatile. It can come in many different colors. For instance, the common red or ruby knives are smaller and can come in different sizes: you can have extra small ones that fit in the smallest pockets but have very few tools, or you can have oodles of tools that are enough for fixing up a house (or even building one!) but that can burn holes in your pocket. There are many knives to buy and choose from, and how you use one depends on what model you get. Moreover, what model you get will depend on what you want to do.

Your army knife will come with a manual, so be sure to read this manual carefully. As you read the manual, explore the different knives and tools in the army knife. The knives will have their own hinges or fingernail digs that will allow you to pull them out, so use these to explore your knives. Be careful, however, and recognize which sides of your knives are sharp. This will allow you to hold the knife expertly and use the tools. It will also keep you from spontaneously chopping your fingers off.

You also need to maintain your army knife. Your tools all work along a hinge, and with no oil, your tools can rust and you will not be able to pull them out quickly. Read about how to maintain your knife and how to clean it. With age, use, and grime, you will make your knife dirty and hard to use, so be sure to maintain it. For this purpose, you will need to get some oils or grease in order to keep your hinges working.

Basically, an army knife will have a bevy of tools, most of them for screwing in screws, opening bottles, pulling corks out of wine bottles, and slicing or cutting. When using your handy screw drivers, maintain a good grip on your army knife, and make sure that the edge of the screw driver is securely fastened onto the grooves in your screw. The same rules apply for nearly all the tools in the army knife: you need to maintain a good grip on your knife, since its lack of torque and the small area in which you can maintain a grip can also limit your movement, not to mention the knife’s functionality. You will want to hold it well, moreover, to avoid it flying out of your grasp and hurting yourself, or anyone close to you.

Elderly Personal Alarms Can Help Those Who Need Utmost Assistance

As people age, their needs change along with their physical capabilities.  More seniors, for example, will require monitoring than they would when they were in their 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s, even if they are in relatively good health.  If you or a member of your family is a senior, there are gadgets you can use that will help keep them safe and secure.  With an elderly personal alarm, help will be a simple automatic call away.

Elderly personal alarms: how they work
Elderly personal alarms are battery-powered alarms that may either be worn or installed in the home.  In case of an emergency, you simply push a button on the device.  This will either sound off an alert so someone nearby can come and help you or it will send out an alert to a remote location, such as a monitoring center.  The monitoring center can call an emergency number on your behalf or alert someone regarding your condition.

What you can expect
Elderly personal alarm systems are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a trained staff.  This will ensure that you get help whenever you need it, day or night.  Many services have national coverage, which means you can use the device wherever you are at the moment.

An important thing to remember: always make sure that your personal alarm is loaded with fresh batteries.  This will ensure that you get the help you need when you need it.  Consider professional maintenance as well so any defects or malfunctions are corrected immediately.

What to look for
Consider your needs above all when buying an elderly personal alarm.  Today, you have an excellent array of choices in terms of options on top of the basic features you’ll get upon purchase. Other than a medical alert, the system might also include physical signs monitoring or ambient room temperature monitoring, a very useful feature for bedridden individuals.  Purchase the services that are most important for you and don’t spend money on services you won’t need.

There are also elderly personal alarms that double as security systems.  Some features, for example, offer to monitor intruder alerts, something that can help secure your premises.  There are also others that automatically contact the police in case you find yourself in an emergency or duress situation.

When deciding on an elderly personal alarm, always look for a reliable product and service to back it up.  Remember that it could be your life and health on the line.  A low quality product and an unreliable service could endanger you or your loved one.  Have a representative demonstrate how the service works and check the time it would take for the monitoring center to act after you initially press the emergency button.  Look for an uncomplicated procedure.  The easier it is to use the alarm, the less time you waste.  Check the warranty period as well.

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It’s Never Too Late to Learn Self Defense

Age is never a strong deterrent to hardened crooks and other criminals. That’s why it’s never too late for any woman to learn how to properly defend herself from all kinds of threat.

Self-Defense for All Generations
In Lawrence Parks and Recreations, a three-hour self-defense class on the afternoon was attended by a family of three-generations: Christine Winters, her daughter Lori Howard, and her young granddaughter Tanner.

The instructor herself proved that not even size could be a hindrance to learning self-defense; Mandana Hurt was forty-five years old and petite at five-foot-one. Also helping her teach her female students was not just her husband but her pre-teen daughter Natasha as well.

Each class began with a warning: no flashy moves would be taught and pain was sure to follow. Students were then summarily taught how to pinch, choke, stomp, bunch, block, and kick their attackers.

Hurt, who also taught science at Central Junior High School during the day, also imparted other important self-defense prevention tactics to her students. She taught them to be aware of their surroundings, remember locking the door, and even why it was best to stand at the side of a tree when they were loading stuff in the trunk of their cars.

Having taught self-defense lessons for eighteen years, Hurt had noticed how attendance rose and fell, usually hitting the highest point when local attacks were also on the rise.

Other Self-Defense Tips for Women
Attacks will most often catch you by surprise and unarmed as well. But if you have the will to survive then there are many ways when you can still defend yourself.

Practice makes perfect
If you’ve got self-defense skills, don’t let them become rusty. Practice regularly so that if you do end up in danger, you won’t suffer even a second of doubt or confusion as to what you should do next.

Look for substitute weapons
You may be out of pepper spray, your Taser is still charging, but that doesn’t mean you have to fight weaponless. Perfume, hair brushes, and lipsticks can all be excellent weapons when used properly.

Hit strategically
Don’t waste time and effort with wild strikes. If you are going to fight, make sure that you target vulnerable areas like eyes, throats, and groin. Decide which angle it’s best for you to strike.

Be prepared
Never underestimate your attacker. Do not hesitate when you strike and never show your fear. Once you let your fears get to you, your attacker will immediately have the upper hand!

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image credit to sxc.hu

Self Defense Anecdotes: About to be Robbed but Late for Exams?

In today’s dangerous times, it is no longer a choice but more of a necessity for a woman to know how to properly defense herself. But besides self-defense skills, presence of mind is just as important: when you are unarmed and trapped, being aware of your situation is your best weapon for saving your life.

It Pays to be Late ¦ Sometimes
Take, for instance, the true story of a young woman who was running late for her exams and about to be mugged. A man had suddenly come up to her, demanding money, to which she replied without missing a beat, Ask me later! I’m running late for my test. And lucky for her, she had been let go without trouble either because the mugger was sympathetic or, and this is more likely, she had just happened to take her attacker by surprise.

Learn the Magic Words to Save Your Life
Words, they say, are more powerful than swords. There are cases in which women had used mere words to scare their attackers off by bluffing about having a stun gun with them or knowing martial arts.

Words of wisdom from your father may also come in handy; one father advises his daughter about learning how to hold her liquor: this, he says, will save her from unsavory people who would try to get her drunk before having their wicked way with her. Another father has an even more sage and eloquent device to his daughter: don’t be stupid. Blunt, but true!

What Else You Can Do to Save Your Life
Of course, there are also times when words are just not enough to hold your attacker off. In such cases, here are a few more things you could do.

Arm yourself
Why bluff when you don’t have to? Stun guns, pepper sprays, and even pocket knives are perfect because they’re compact and often come in deceptive shapes and forms for you to surprise your attacker.

Pay attention
Let your instincts be your guide. If you sense something wrong, leave. Be aware of your situation. Know what’s happening around you. It might help you notice signs of trouble early enough to save yourself.

Don’t let them know you’re scared
Many a female has saved herself just by acting tough and maintaining eye contact with their would-be attacker.

Be resourceful
There’s never a chance an attacker could catch you unarmed if you’re resourceful. Your belt, scarf, or even your jacket can double as a whip. Coins and other small objects can be thrown on your attacker’s face to render him temporarily blind. Even if it’s not pepper, spraying perfume or any other liquid besides water directly at a person’s eyes would still hurt. Anything and everything could be of use to you as long as you don’t panic.

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image credit to mememeandme

Age or Race Makes No Difference with Self-Defense

Anyone can be a victim. As such, it doesn’t matter how old a person is or what race he belongs to. A person is always better off knowing how to defend himself if calling 911 proves to be impossible.

Who Says Old People are Pushovers?
In Charlotte, North Carolina, seniors are learning a new use for their canes. At the Atria Merry Wood senior living center, the elderly are benefiting from a self-defense class that’s specially designed for their age – and their use of canes. Combat Cane classes teach the art of cane-fu, a self-defense tactic that would not only save them from the bad guys but are great for exercising and their self-confidence, too!

Although students of the recently introduced cane-fu classes were still somewhat reticent about using their newly acquired skills with the cane, experts have noted the positive effects of the workout on the seniors’ mental acuity as well as heart and lung activity.

Combat cane classes focused on hitting target areas like eyes, throat, and groin. Afterwards, voluntary pairs were selected for mock battles. Euphemisms like dot the eyes, which referred to eye-poking, were used in respect of their students’ advanced age.

Other self-defense tips were also imparted. The seniors were particularly delighted at learning non-physical tactics to avoid trouble and deter attackers. They were advised not to reveal their fear, shout and use foul language, if necessary, just to show they weren’t an easy victim.

Westerns Learn the Eastern Way of Self-Defense
A West Scope center teaches young students how to defend their selves with a little-known Indonesian martial art called “poekoelan tjimindie tulen”. Besides teaching self-defense maneuvers, it also taught kids important values like respect for one’s self and others.

Kids in the center were barefoot, wore white shirts, loose-fitting white pants, and belts of different colors. They learned jabs and kicks, which altogether helped build their physical and emotional confidence.

The same Indonesian martial art style is also taught in public schools in Portland and Beaverton as well as in free clinics. Pronounced as pu-ku-lan chi-min-dee tu-len, the martial art focused on instilling “compassionate balanced action” in the kids.

Prior to the physical lessons, kids were also taught basic self-defense techniques like trusting their gut in order to identify potentially “bad”situations and do what they can to avoid trouble. They were also taught how to defend themselves verbally at first and to use physical force only as a last resort.

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